A Joint Vision Statement covering the intent to work collaboratively on E-7 Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control (SEW&C) capability development has been signed by the chiefs of the RAAF, RAF and US Air Force.
The agreement, known as the Wedgetail Trilateral Joint Vision Statement, was signed on 14 July at the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford in the UK and is a commitment by the three services to co-operate on Wedgetail development, evaluation and testing, interoperability, sustainment, operations training and safety.
The RAAF has led development of the Boeing E-7A Wedgetail platform since it first entered service in 2010 and currently has six aircraft in service with No.2 Squadron at Williamtown, north of Sydney. On 11 July, the Australian Government announced it will deploy a Wedgetail to Germany in October, to provide support for the flow of aid to Ukraine.
The RAF has three Wedgetail platforms under conversion in the UK and in March the US Government announced the planned acquisition of 26 aircraft for the US Air Force.
“This joint vision statement is a testament to the close relationship shared historically by our three Air Forces (and) I look forward to continuing our joint interests in this versatile and impressive capability,” said Chief of Air Force, Air Marshal Robert Chipman at the signing ceremony.
“The Wedgetail is the most capable and effective airborne early warning and control platform in operation today.”
Head of the RAF, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Kingston described the agreement as “an exciting opportunity” for the three services to work collaboratively on the development of the three countries’ AEW&C capability as the threats change.
US Air Force Chief of Staff General C.Q. Brown added: “Collaboration and interoperability are critical to our warfighting advantage. Signing this joint vision statement represents another step in the long-term, enduring commitment we have to the future and to the security of our three countries.
“The relationship between the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States is more robust than ever, and we share a mutual understanding of the challenges we face in the air domain and the need to address them.”